>> Monday, March 30, 2009

...but I'm sure gonna try.

So the latest life news is that I've signed a contract and will be working in Toronto for the next 6 months, most likely a year. I'm pleased because the position seems interesting and directly related to my school and work experience to date. So, I'm looking forward to making some 'real world' policy, you know, being personally responsible for recommendation #4 in a report that was summarized in a power point and presented to the Minister who brought it up in Cabinet and while not implemented at was heard and considered by the right people who then made a decision incorporating the concerns of their constituencies. No but seriously jokes aside I'm pretty excited.

Beyond that I have pretty much given up on school. As far as I'm concerned it should be summer and I should be on a beach (and 10 pounds thinner).

>> Friday, March 20, 2009

>> Tuesday, March 17, 2009

I may have some good news this week. I will wait until Friday to be certain and then I will tell EVERYONE, because goodness knows I cannot keep a secret.

Interesting fact: this news story sort of (but not really) ruined the ending of my current book. You see, a parallel story line to the lives of the characters in Late Nights On Air is an inquiry into the proposed Mackenzie Valley Pipeline (a true story). Well, I didn't actually know how it ended until this morning. Oops! It's really no big deal, but very interesting that this proposal has been around for over 40 years now (the book is set in the 1970s) and inquiries continue to this day with no resolution.

>> Tuesday, March 10, 2009

I feel good because I just got an email from the director of a not-for-profit for whom I (and two others in my program) just completed a project and report. The project was done on a pro-bono basis, as a way for us to practice some of our policy skills and for not-for-profits in the area to get some free policy work. Anyway, her email said a) she is very pleased with the report, b) she would like to take us out for dinner, c) she wants to arrange honoraria for us, and d) what is our status in the near future, should some full-time work become available?

I'm pretty pleased myself, and would have been even without all the extra 'stuff', because I know we worked hard and it was a good report. As usual, I put the most effort this year into something non-school-related.

In other news, I am excited about the imminent release of Steve Earle's album of Townes Van Zandt covers. For some reason admitting I like Steve Earle has always made me feel old...perhaps because my introduction to him was via classic rock radio when I was pretty young (similar to Springsteen in that way). Yes he was classic rock before I was even born. Anyway, anytime you read about Townes Van Zandt (my introduction to him came through the Josh Ritter song "Me & Jiggs") you hear something good Steve Earle has to say about him. Steve seems like a nice guy, and this whole album seems like it will be (I've only heard a couple of tracks so far) a true tribute to a dear old friend. And you know Steve must have loved Townes if he named his kid after him.

Lately I've been listening to a lot of 'love' songs. That's in quotes I guess because they're a bit unusual and sometimes a bit creepy. I don't know if it's the spring weather or the orientation of the latest Neko Case album, but I'm huge into this phase right now. Don't even get me started on "I'm An Animal" or "This Tornado Loves You". Neko Case is literally a force of nature. Literally? Yes.

and yes (in between rounds of Neko Case) I am back on this Hold Steady album from last year. Every time the weather gets a little nice I dream of songs to listen to this summer. Of course when summer does come around there is no time for new music as we are too busy living it. At least, I hope that will be the case this time around. My first summer as a non-student. Makes me wonder if summer holds the same promise when you work all damn year 'round. I've always done that anyway but I feel it will be different, being a 'real person' and all that.

In quieter moments I have been going for the new Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart (longest name ever), and Ra Ra Riot (soft spot for college rock).

>> Monday, March 2, 2009

James has resolved that I blog more often. So here I am.

I am just here to recommend that everyone who is able get their hands on a copy of Late Nights On Air by Elizabeth Hay. It is the book currently on my night table, and on nights when I get to bed early enough (and even some when I don't) it is my night time treat. I'm probably not even half way through at this point but am enjoying it enough to recommend it. The writing is incredibly beautiful and I love the descriptions of the characters, the landscapes of the Yukon territory, the history of them all...

I think I could be one of those people who falls in love with the North. Yes? the last great frontier! But not for that reason. More for the landscapes of the tundra. There is something I like about permafrost and the tiniest, most hardy of plants in brown and green and funny animals and lakes and sun half the year. Well, in theory anyway.

Latest obsession is the new Neko Case album, Middle Cyclone. I got it last week and I swear, it was like something had been missing from my life and I simply did not realize it until now. It's true - I just feel better with Neko in my life.